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People are always saying to me, okay, now
that you’ve told us what the problems are, what can be done about
them?

A good practice is to start by working on yourself. From
individual choices and thinking, on matters large and minuscule,
emerges the state of mind that leads invariably to broad benefits
for us all. Here are a few simple things to try in the new year,
if you’re not already doing them:

-Notice what you notice: Make a conscious,
deliberate mental note of things you noticed. This is a great
technique for writers and reporters, but generally useful for
creating more awareness of your life, your world, and the things
in it. From awareness springs action. Solutions are to be found
everywhere.

-Notice how you feel: What makes you feel
good—and why? What makes you feel bad—and why? Most of us are not
especially introspective, because self-examination can be
painful. But it isn’t so difficult if you start with small
exercises. These lead gradually to revelation.

-Identify especially two categories: (a)) The bad things
that make you feel good, and (b) The good things
that make you feel bad.

First, A: We fill our lives with bad things that make us feel
good for a moment, but in the end make us feel bad. The examples
are easy to come by: diet, behavior toward others, leisure time
choices, etc. Simply doing the opposite, which at first is not as
pleasurable, can often add more meaning and long-term pleasure to
living.

Then, B: By engaging with some things that make us feel bad or
uncomfortable, we figure out how to feel good about them. One
example of this is paying attention to the world around
us—learning about the problems of the world and what causes them.
Initially, this can be depressing, but those who engage regularly
and willingly with the complexity of the human condition usually
end up feeling engaged, and often find themselves coming up with
or being part of the solution.

-Notice what you do: Do you keep getting
yourself in trouble? Start consciously noticing what you did that
caused that. If you are always in a panic looking for things you
lost, start very deliberately pausing and making a mental note
when you put them down, or put them away—it will be much easier
to find them later. Do you make people angry with you? Identify a
few solutions—from small changes in how you speak with people, to
being more selective about whom you spend your time with.

-Do something selfless: start by doing the
tiniest things. Help others in a way they can’t see you’re
helping; pick up some garbage someone else has tossed out onto
the street; anticipate a problem about to happen to someone else
and quietly prevent it. Do something someone else should have
done, without seeking credit.

-Practice being protean—that is, embracing
change as normal and good. Learn something new every day; be open
to a new fact or a new way of thinking about something.

-Do something fun or playful or inventive every
day that those who know you would say is out of character.
Surprise others, and surprise yourself.

-Join with other people in a good cause:
Whatever it is, it will enrich everyone around you—as well as
yourself. It’s a win-win. Good causes are habit forming, but many
of us need to start small, and learn to be good at charity.

-Lastly, if you’re inclined, join with us at
WhoWhatWhy in our “knowledge revolution.” In whatever
way works for you, become part of what we do—visit us often,
spread the message, share your skills, resources, or good fortune.
Together, we’ll figure this thing out.